Critical values of singularities at infinity of complex polynomials (Q935652)

Let \(P:{\mathbb C}^n\rightarrow{\mathbb C}\) be a polynomial function. According to \textit{R. Thom} [Bull. Am. Math. Soc. 75, 240--284 (1969; Zbl 0197.20502)], there exists a finite set of points \(B\subset{\mathbb C}\) such that the restriction \[ P:{\mathbb C}^n\setminus P^{-1}(B)\rightarrow{\mathbb C}\setminus B \] is a \(C^\infty\)-locally trivial fibration. The smallest set \(B(P)\) with this property is called the bifurcation set of \(P\). The bifurcation set \(B(P)\) includes the set of critical values \(K_0(P)\) of \(P\). Since \(P\) is not proper for \(n\geq 2\) the bifurcation set may also contain some other values. This leads to the following definition. For \(t_0\in{\mathbb C}\) and \(\delta>0\) denote \(D_\delta(t_0):=\{t\in{\mathbb C}|\;|t-t_0|<\delta\}\). Definition. [\textit{W. D. Neumann}, Invent. Math. 98, No.~3, 445--489 (1989; Zbl 0734.57011)]. A point \(t_0\in{\mathbb C}\) is called a regular value at infinity of \(P\) if there exists a compact set \(K\subset{\mathbb C}^n\) and \(\delta>0\) such that the restriction \[ P:P^{-1}(D_\delta(t_0))\setminus K\rightarrow D_\delta(t_0) \] defines a \(C^\infty\)-trivial fibration. A point \(t_0\in{\mathbb C}\) that is not a regular value at infinity of \(P\) is called a critical value at infinity of \(P\). The set of critical values at infinity is denoted by \(B_\infty(P)\). One can prove that \[ B(P)=K_0(P)\cup B_\infty(P). \] The reviewed article is an overview of a number of results concerning the notion of critical values at infinity of complex polynomials.